Spring Practice Observations (9:35 p.m. Wednesday)

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Here's the run down from Wednesday's practice, which was open to the media.

My overreaction disclaimer: Remember, this is one practice of 15, and it's the spring. While this is a glimpse into what's going on and gives us (and you guys) some idea on what's going on, I would keep one practice in perspective.

-- The teams were split up with the 1's and 3's and the 2's and 4's for most of the day, meaning Clint Trickett (1) and Jameis Winston (3) were often working in the same drills together while Jacob Coker (2) and Sean Maguire (4) were on another field working together.

Keep in mind, everything is a rotation. During the early flex period, all four rotated with the first team offense. Point being, the order they are in now, according to Fisher, is part of the plan to give them all a shot at different levels. How they practiced today is in no way an indicator that anyone has "taken a lead." I think the coaching staff is very much in the evaluation period and wouldn't have anyone way ahead of the other at this point, four practices in.

-- Trickett was accurate in drills for most of the day, even against the first-team defense. Every quarterback, Trickett included, had issues with decisions Fisher didn't like. While it's obvious he doesn't have the arm strength of the other three quarterbacks, Trickett looks in control out there and, in my opinion, looks the most comfortable out there (which is to be expected given his experience, his fourth spring at FSU).

-- Winston showed a big arm and escapability in offense-vs-defense work. On one play in particular - Winston felt the big rush from his right, then moved left and stepped up into a deep throw, hitting Rashad Greene in stride. He had a couple of other plays where he avoided the rush, turned on the jets and made a positive play out of it. On offense vs. defense Winston faced mostly third-team defenders with a few starters peppered in. Winston did get a chance to work with the first team offensive line in o-vs-d drills. He made some great throws on Wednesday.

-- Because of the foot injury he had coming into spring, Coker didn't seem 100 percent. He was relegated to shotgun snaps and was obviously told to stay in the pocket. Coker still flaunted what I think is the biggest arm of the group. Fisher said Coker is still feeling the effects and isn't concerned because Coker has put his athleticism on display before.

-- All three running backs (Wilder/Freeman/Pender) look to be in great shape. I really liked Mario Pender's shiftiness. He had a couple of miscues on pass protection, falling in line with a common young RB mistakes, but you can see why many figure Pender to step into the Chris Thompson, "home run threat" role.

-- The most impressive receiver on Wednesday was Greg Dent. He was lining up all over the field and caught every ball near him, created space with a defender around him to make catches, his routes seemed polished and he made a handful of tough catches. It's way too early, but he's moving up my board as a breakout candidate in 2013.

-- Willie Haulstead is in much better shape than he was last season. He seems to be in a position to get back into the rotation.

Defense/special teams

-- The first thing I noticed is that there's lots of activity in the new Pruitt scheme. DB's go from the box to play like a safety and cover a deep half of the field, darting back just before the snap. Defensive ends Giorgio Newberry and Chris Casher stood up to cover a tight end on a couple of plays. The defensive lineman line up in different order across from snap to snap. Fisher said the new look has been a challenge for the defense. While the coaching staff has downplayed big changes to the defense in 2013, it shouldn't be hard to pick out some different looks rather quickly.

-- Lamarcus Joyner plays like you'd expect at cornerback - extremely, extremely physical and lightning fast. He made that clear from the outset, decleating a walk-on who caught a ball out of the flat.

Joyner got a lot of work against Dent and is also playing a lot of the "star" position, which was the inside/slot nickel cornerback in the defense when FSU goes to three cornerbacks. But there was some coverage rust when it comes playing the ball in the air and on some technique - Dent made a great play on an underthrown ball vs. Joyner who couldn't recover and Dent also beat him on an inside route fairly easily - but I still believe Joyner is going to be great at CB.

When Joyner slides into the 'star' spot in nickel, PJ Williams was getting the first team snaps at cornerback along with Keelin Smith on the other side. (Remember, Darby/Waisome/Hunter are out for the spring). Williams had a couple of nice battles with Kelvin Benjamin in one-on-one drills.

-- Karlos Williams was moved around (as mentioned in the story we posted today), playing safety and some "Money" linebacker - the linebacker in a six-DB dime package.

-- Breaking news: Telvin Smith likes to talk when he's on the field (and off the field). Smith looks comfortable in the scheme. In fact, during the practice, a couple of different upperclassmen came up to Smith to ask him about terminology and responsibility in the scheme and it seems like Smith didn't skip a beat. That's a good sign from FSU's starting middle linebacker.

-- Terrance Smith is still working as the starting strong side linebacker.

-- Jacobbi McDaniel seems to have a shot to factor in the DT rotation. He saw reps with the second team and the first team subbing in for Eddie Goldman. He looks to be in great shape and Fisher was complimentary of what he saw from McDaniel following practice.

The one-on-one blocking drills were fun to watch. Some of the best matchups among the big guys were Josue Matias vs. Eddie Goldman and Timmy Jernigan vs. Tre' Jackson. No one dominated, just fun to see those pairs go at it.

-- The running backs and linebackers were lively in their matchups: With Mario Pender vs. Telvin Smith, both were really barking at each other. Devonta Freeman really handled Markuss Eligwe one time on the final block of the segment and that really got the RB's fired up. Abrams, Wilder and others all rotated against LB's.

-- Kenny Shaw and Rashad Greene rotated reps at punt return during the punt team portion.

-- Looks like a change is coming to FSU's punt unit - they've been practicing the emerging "spread" punt formation with three players forming a wall about seven yards behind the line of scrimmage.

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I saw Casher and Sunseri way back from the pack talking about the new schemes I'm guessing (a lot of hand motion). I wished him luck and asked how his knee was and he said it was a non issue, but he is still wearing a brace. He looks like he's added weight.Posted from wireless.rivals.com[/URL]

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Originally posted by TallahasseeT-rav:I saw Casher and Sunseri way back from the pack talking about the new schemes I'm guessing (a lot of hand motion). I wished him luck and asked how his knee was and he said it was a non issue, but he is still wearing a brace. He looks like he's added weight.

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Freshman

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Winston showed a big arm and escapability in offense-vs-defense work. On one play in particular ? Winston felt the big rush from his right, then moved left and stepped up into a deep throw, hitting Rashad Greene in stride. He had a couple of other plays where he avoided the rush, turned on the jets and made a positive play out of it. On offense vs. defense Winston faced mostly third-team defenders with a few starters peppered in. Winston did get a chance to work with the first team offensive line in o-vs-d drills. He made some great throws on Wednesday.

No way in the world Jimbo keeps that on the bench. Dont get where he is by letting the real talent ride the pine.

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Walk-on

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Interesting how FSU has four quarterbacks but the Warchant staff has already eliminated Maguire from competition. How about some comments on what he did today.This post was edited on 3/27 10:37 PM by Sluggersdad

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Originally posted by Sluggersdad:
Interesting how FSU has four quarterbacks but the Warchant staff has already eliminated Maguire from competition. How about some comments on what he did today.This post was edited on 3/27 10:37 PM by Sluggersdad

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Didn't say he was eliminated, you're insinuating. He looked good in the couple of throws I saw from him, think he throws a great ball and I've said that since last fall. As I said, these are player observations, not starter predictions.

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Originally posted by Sluggersdad:
Well, Trickett, Winston, and Coker all get complete paragraphs. Maguire? Zippo...

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A family member of Maguire?

Being realistic, as this gets shaved down from 4 to 3 (and so on) it is safe to say that Maguire will be the first cut. Not saying he doesn't have talent, but he has little time in the system and I think a fair evaluation would be that Coker and Winston have more ability at the position.

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Walk-on

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D.C when you say Casher and Newberry stood up, I assume that those were in 3-4 looks right? If so, how was the right of the D-line lined up in those looks and what did you take from the amount of those looks that you saw and there effectiveness today. tia

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Originally posted by nole300:
D.C when you say Casher and Newberry stood up, I assume that those were in 3-4 looks right? If so, how was the right of the D-line lined up in those looks and what did you take from the amount of those looks that you saw and there effectiveness today. tia

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Doesn't have to be a 3-4. You can have the DL drop into coverage from a 4-3. That is most typically done when a LB or two is going to be blitzing, so you have a DL drop into coverage to cover the hole they are leaving by blitzing. It could end up looking or acting like a 3-4, but the start of the play is a 4-3 look and the personnel is a 4-3.

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I didn't see much out of Dent in his first two seasons.
However, he looked like he'd worked his tail off going into his junior year to become one of the top four WRs on the team.
It's good to see that he's continued to progress into an every down every situation player.
Also, it's nice to hear about Haulstead. He's the guy I see beating out Benjamin, Green and Haggins to be in this season's top four.
I see the same with McDaniel breaking into the top four in his unit.
To me, getting both guys back at full spead is akin to making big free agent acquistions in the offseason.

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Seminole Insider

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doesn't have the same interest for most, but I'd like to know more about our new kicker, long snapper and holder. Also Beatty. Are you seeing any greater leg extension? distance improvements? This is our most vulnerable segment by far.

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Why does Joyner always feel the need to light up his own teammates in practice? Haha I love the enthusiasm and am a huge Joyner fan, but didn't he really injure someone two years ago in the spring "decleating" them?Posted from wireless.rivals.com[/URL]

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Walk-on

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Sounds like a spring full of battles. That's the way it should be every season, no one is guaranteed a starting spot. You've got to earn everything, that's what kids respond to. And it seems to be working pretty well for us right now. Truly an exciting time for all of us!

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Starter

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It's obvious to anyone that knows Jimbo that the QB who is most comfortable running his offense will start. Like it or not, Trickett will start on the road vs Pitt. I'm not saying he finishes the season as the starter, however, it's his to lose regardless of what you hear in post practice interviews.

Just setting your expectations so when you hear coming out of spring and going into the Fall that Trickett is getting all the first team reps you don't have a melt down.

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GREAT GREAT STUFF!! Cant wait for the spring game.. so much for not changing the defense. this is the only thing that has me a little worried, new staff, new technique,new verbage and hand signals, new style of play. Hope they dont throw it all at them the first year and we end up with 4 or 5 completely blown coverages each game.

Just what I thought on the QB's(at least it seems): tricket knows playbook and is pretty accuate(not looking to make the big mistake), #5 is probably catching eyes on big plays and ecsaping when needs to. To bad about Coker, that foot seems to really be holding him back.

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Originally posted by Da_Dynasty64:
It's obvious to anyone that knows Jimbo that the QB who is most comfortable running his offense will start. Like it or not, Trickett will start on the road vs Pitt. I'm not saying he finishes the season as the starter, however, it's his to lose regardless of what you hear in post practice interviews.

Just setting your expectations so when you hear coming out of spring and going into the Fall that Trickett is getting all the first team reps you don't have a melt down.

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I disagree. Winston has the it factor and extremely athletic and mobile. The guy is a winner and would do anything to win that game. Not saying Trickett isn't but with our questions on the O-Line, Trickett would get eaten up. I think Winston will keep showing out in practice and this Summer. There is a TON of ball before Labor Day. Anyone can take over. I like Trickett, his arm, his work ethic, but he's tiny and immobile. He can def win games for us but I think Winston would skyrocket us to new levels.

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Freshman

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"While it's obvious he doesn't have the arm strength of the other three quarterbacks"[/B]

I am a little surprised to hear that. IF you listen to some fans, they talk about how Trickett is a NFL type QB but just doesn't fit into our system. I just hope one of the other 3 catches up on the gameplan and becomes more comfortable on the field so we have the best chance at a great season. I take it from your write up that Coker could be falling a little behind right now due to the injury. I hope he gets healthy fast because it sounds like he has the best overall tools to lead us to victory right now. We really don't hear much about Maguire so I just assume he is fighting an uphill battle that he has basically no shot at winning.

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Freshman

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Originally posted by NewYorkNole0109:
Why does Joyner always feel the need to light up his own teammates in practice? Haha I love the enthusiasm and am a huge Joyner fan, but didn't he really injure someone two years ago in the spring "decleating" them?

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Freshman

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You speak like you know this as fact. Trickett probably is the leader right now (4 practices in), but I think Winston wins the job. We will beat Pitt with Winston or Clint starting. Following Pitt is a bye then some cupcakes. If Jimbo can't get Winston ready with Spring, Summer, Fall Camp, and 3-4 games of experience then Jimbo isn't the QB coach we all think he is. Clint has about 2-3 games of total playing experience. Lets not act like Clint is seasoned. The small advantage Clint has in experience should more then be made up with talent from Winston. Last year I saw many teams have better seasons then us all playing GREEN QB's i.e. Stanford, A&M, Oregon, ND, and UF. If Winston is the talent we think he is and Jimbo the coach we think Winston should be taking snaps opening game vs Pitt.